Foldable stationery holder

ABSTRACT

A foldable stationery holder includes a base unit including a top surface and an axle bracket mounted at the top surface at one side, and a foldable unit movable relative to the base unit and including a pivoting block pivotally mounted at the axle bracket and a movable portion disposed opposite to the pivoting block and movable between a first position above the top surface and a second position outside the top surface. By moving the foldable unit relative to the base unit, the foldable stationery holder can be selectively set in an extended position for application or a collapsed position for storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to stationery products and more particularly, to afoldable stationery holder. 2. Description of the Related Art

Most commercial tape dispensers, such as the TW certificate numberM515544 and M494152, are not folding or collapsible. Although theseconventional tape dispensers can achieve the expected function, theycommonly have a large volume. In storage and packaging theseconventional tape dispensers require much handling space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is the main object of the present invention to provide afoldable stationery holder, which can be folded or collapsed to minimizethe volume for storage.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a foldablestationery holder comprises a base unit and a foldable unit. The baseunit comprises a top surface, and an axle bracket mounted at the topsurface at one side. The foldable unit is movable relative to the baseunit, and comprises a pivoting block pivotally mounted at the axlebracket and a movable portion disposed opposite to the pivoting blockand movable between a first position above the top surface and a secondposition outside the top surface.

The effect of the present invention is by moving the foldable unitrelative to the base unit, the foldable stationery holder can beselectively set in an extended position for application or a collapsed,or folded, position to minimize the volume for storage.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fullyunderstood by reference to the following specification in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denotelike components of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique top elevational view of a foldable stationeryholder in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the foldable stationery holder inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrated an open status of the connection member of thefoldable unit of the foldable stationery holder in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic applied view of the present invention,illustrating the foldable unit in the center position.

FIG. 5 is another schematic applied view of the present invention,illustrating the biasable unit biased relative to the base unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating the biasable unit set in thesecond position.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a rear side view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a rear side view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing of the present invention, illustratingthe connection member detached from the biasable member

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a foldable stationery holder inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.The foldable stationery holder is adapted for holding a stationery item30. In this embodiment, the stationery item 30 is a tape dispenser. Thefoldable stationery holder comprises a base unit 10 and a foldable unit20.

The base unit 10 comprises a base 11, and a turntable 12 mounted on androtatable relative to the base 11. The base 11 comprises a circularblock 111, two foot members 112 respectively connected two oppositelateral sides of the circular block 111, a round hole 113 located in thecenter of the circular block 111, an arched sliding groove 114 spacedaround the round hole 113. The turntable 12 is rotatably mounted on thecircular block 111 between the two foot members 12, comprising a topsurface 121, an axle bracket 122 mounted on the top surface 121 at oneside, a cutting edge 123 located at the top surface 121 at an oppositeside, a shaft 124 located at a bottom side thereof and rotatably coupledto the round hole 113, and a position-limiting rod 125 located at thebottom side and inserted into the arched sliding groove 114 (see FIGS. 7and 8). The arched sliding groove 114 and the position-limiting rod 125are configured to mate with each other so that the turntable 12 can berotated on the base 10 within an angle restricted by the arched slidinggroove 114 (in this embodiment, the turntable 12 is biasable relative tothe base 10 within 45-degree angle). The axle bracket 122 comprises anaxle 126 extended in parallel to the axis L of the top surface 121, anda guide pin 127 disposed at one side relative to the axle 126. Thecutting edge 123 is serrated.

The foldable unit 20 is movable relative to the base unit 10, comprisinga foldable member 21 pivotally coupled to the axle bracket 122 and aconnection member 22 pivotally connected to the foldable member 21. Thefoldable member 21 comprises a pivoting block 211 pivotally connected tothe axle bracket 122, and an opposing pivot connector 212. The pivotingblock 211 comprises an axle hole 213 pivotally coupled to the axle 126,and an arched slot 214 spaced around the axis L and coupled to the guidepin 127 (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10). The pivot connector 212 comprises apair of upright pivot-connection plates 215 arranged in parallel, asubstantially U-shaped coupling groove 216 located at each uprightpivot-connection plate 215, and a raised positioning portion 217 locatedon one upright pivot-connection plate 215. Further, each U-shapedcoupling groove 216 defines a straight guide groove portion 218 thatextends forwardly to a front side thereof, and an expandedpositioning-limiting groove portion 219 that is disposed incommunication with a rear end of the straight guide groove portion 218.

Referring to FIG. 3, the connection member 22 is detachably connected tothe foldable member 21, comprising a connection plate 221, a first sidepanel 222 hinged to one side of the connection plate 221, a second sidepanel 223 hinged to an opposite side of the connection plate 221, apivot means 224 disposed adjacent to the connection plate 221 androtatably coupled to the pivot connector 212, and a movable portion 225opposite to the pivot means 224. The first side panel 222 comprises arectangular block-shaped first retaining portion 226, a first barrel 227corresponding to the movable portion 225, and a first retaining portion228 located at the distal end of the first barrel 227 and shaped like atruncated cone. The second side panel 223 comprises a recessed secondretaining portion 226′ for engagement with the rectangular block-shapedfirst retaining portion 226, a second barrel 227′ corresponding to thefirst barrel 227, and a second engagement portion 228′ located at thedistal end of the second barrel 227′ for engagement with the firstengagement portion 228. The second engagement portion 228′ is located inthe center of the distal end of the second barrel 227′ and shaped like around hole. The first barrel 227 and the second barrel 227′ are joinedtogether to form a round shaft. The pivot means 224 comprises a pair ofrods 229 respectively located at the first side panel 222 and the secondside panel 223. These rods 229 have an oblong cross section, eachcomprising two opposing first peripheral edges 229′ that define athickness and two opposing second peripheral edges 229″ that define awidth greater than the thickness. The first peripheral edges 229′ ofeach rod 229 are slidable along the straight guide groove portions 218.The second peripheral edges 229″ are rotatable in the expandedposition-limiting groove portions 219. The connection member 22 furthercomprises a first locating hole 220 located in the first side panel 22,and a second locating hole 220′ disposed at one side relative to thefirst locating hole 220.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, in normal use of the foldable stationeryholder, the movable portion 225 of the foldable unit 20 is disposed in afirst position above the top surface 121 and the stationery item 30 isalso suspended above the top surface 121. Subject to the characteristicthat the stationery item (tape dispenser) 30 is turnable about the roundshaft formed of the first barrel 227 and the second barrel 227′ and thearrangement of the cutting edge 123, the user can pull out the adhesivetape from the stationery item (tape dispenser) 30, enabling the desiredlength of the leading part of the adhesive tape to be smoothly cut offby the cutting edge 123.

When the movable portion 225 of the foldable unit 20 is disposed in thefirst position, the raised positioning portion 217 is engaged in thefirst locating hole 220 to hold the connection member 22 positively inposition relative to the biasable member 21. Under this state, thefoldable member 21 is held in an extended position relative to the axlebracket 122; the arched sliding groove 114 has its one end abuttedagainst the position-limiting rod 125 (see FIG. 7); the arched slot 214of the pivoting block 211 has its one end abutted against the guide pin127 (see FIG. 9); the first peripheral edges 229′ of every rod 229 areintersected with the respective straight guide groove portion 219 sothat the rods 229 are engaged in the respective expandedposition-limiting groove portions 219 to hold the connection member 22positively in position relative to the biasable member 21 withoutrotation, and thus the stationery item 30 is positively held inposition.

To fold up or pack the foldable stationery holder, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the connection member 22 is moved relative to the foldablemember 21 to move the foldable unit 20 from the first position to acenter position where the raised positioning portion 217 is engaged inthe second locating hole 220′ to hold the connection member 22 inposition and to prohibit the connection member 22 from rotary motionrelative to the biasable member.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the turntable 12 and the foldableunit 20 are moved relative to the base 21 to move the opposite end ofthe arched sliding groove 114 into abutment against theposition-limiting rod 125 (see FIG. 8), and then the foldable member 21is moved relative to the axle bracket 122 from the extended position toa collapsed position where the opposite end of the arched slot 214 ofthe pivoting block 211 is abutted against the guide pin 127 (see FIG.10), such that the foldable unit 20 is shifted to a second position (seeFIG. 6). At this time, the movable portion 225 and the stationery item30 are disposed outside the top surface 121, and the volume of thecollapsed foldable stationery holder is minimized.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, when mounting or replacing thestationery item 30, the connection member 22 is turned relative to thefoldable member 21 while the foldable unit 20 is held in the firstposition, as illustrated in FIG. 11. At this time, the first peripheraledges 229′ of each rod 229 are kept in parallel to the respectivestraight guide groove portion 218 for allowing the rod 229 of theconnection member 22 to be moved out of the U-shaped coupling grooves216 of the biasable member 21. Thereafter, the first side panel 222 andthe second side panel 223 are opened to disengage the rectangularblock-shaped first retaining portion 226 from the second retainingportion 226′ and to separate the first barrel 227 from the second barrel227′, and also to disengage the first engagement portion 228 from thesecond engagement portion 228′. The user can then mount or replace thestationery item 30. After mounting or replacement of the stationery item30, the first side panel 222 and the second side panel 223 can be movedtoward each other, enabling the stationery item 30 to be pivotallypositioned between the first barrel 227 and the second barrel 227′.

It's worth mentioning that the overall shape of the foldable stationeryholder of the present invention is similar to that of a sawing machine,adding fun to the operation.

In conclusion, the foldable stationery holder of the present inventionnot only achieves the expected purpose of use, but also has thecharacteristic of folding collapsible to minimize space occupation, andthe foldable stationery holder can accurately achieve the object of thepresent invention.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except asby the appended claims.

1. A foldable stationery holder, comprising: a base unit comprising atop surface and an axle bracket mounted at said top surface at one side;and a foldable unit movable relative to said base unit, said foldableunit comprising a pivoting block pivotally mounted at said axle bracketand a movable portion opposite to said pivoting block, said movableportion being movable between a first position above said top surfaceand a second position outside said top surface.
 2. The foldablestationery holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base unit furthercomprises a base and a turntable rotatably mounted on said base, saidtop surface and said axle bracket are located on said turntable.
 3. Thefoldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein said base ofsaid base unit comprises an arched sliding groove; said turntablefurther comprises a position-limiting rod inserted in said archedsliding groove and adapted to limit the turning angle of said turntablerelative to said base.
 4. The foldable stationery holder as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said foldable unit further comprises a foldable memberpivotally coupled to said axle bracket, a connection member connectionmember pivotally connected to said foldable member and a pivot connectoropposing to said pivoting block, said connection member comprising pivotmeans disposed opposite to said movable portion and rotatably pivoted tosaid pivot connector; said pivoting block is mounted at said biasablemember; said movable portion is located at said connection member. 5.The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein saidconnection member of said foldable unit comprises a connection plate, afirst side panel hinged to one side of said connection plate and asecond side panel hinged to an opposite side of said first side panel,said first side panel comprising a rectangular block-shaped firstretaining portion, a first barrel corresponding to said movable portionand a first engagement portion located at said first barrel, said secondside panel comprising a second retaining portion adapted for engagementwith said rectangular block-shaped first retaining portion, a secondbarrel facing toward said first barrel and a second engagement portionlocated at said second barrel and adapted for engagement with said firstengagement portion, said first barrel and said second barrel beingconnectable together to form a round shaft; said movable portion isconfigured to the mounting of a stationery item adapted for dispensingan adhesive tape pivotally mountable at said round shaft.
 6. Thefoldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidconnection member of said foldable unit is detachably mounted at saidfoldable member; said pivot connector of said foldable member comprisesa pair of upright pivot-connection plates arranged in parallel, asubstantially U-shaped coupling groove located at each said uprightpivot-connection plate, and a raised positioning portion located on onesaid upright pivot-connection plate, each said U-shaped coupling groovedefining a straight guide groove portion that extends forwardly to afront side thereof, and an expanded positioning-limiting groove portion219 that is disposed in communication with a rear end of said straightguide groove portion; said pivot means comprises a pair of rodsrespectively located at said first side panel and said second sidepanel, said rods having an oblong cross section, each said rodcomprising two opposing first peripheral edges that define a thicknessand two opposing second peripheral edges that define a width greaterthan said thickness, said first peripheral edges of each said rod beingslidable along said straight guide groove portions, said secondperipheral edges being rotatable in said expanded position-limitinggroove portions; said connection member further comprises a firstlocating hole located in said first side panel and a second locatinghole disposed at one side relative to said first locating hole; whensaid biasable unit is disposed in said first position, said raisedpositioning portion is engaged in said first locating hole, said firstperipheral edges of said rod are intersected with the respective saidstraight guide groove portions, and said rods are positively positionedin said expanded position-limiting groove portions; when biasing saidbiasable unit from said first position to a center position between saidfirst position and said second position, said connection member isbiased, causing said raised positioning portion to be engaged in saidsecond locating hole.
 7. The foldable stationery holder as claimed inclaim 5, wherein said turntable of said base unit further comprises acutting edge disposed opposite to said axle bracket, said cutting edgebeing serrated.
 8. The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 4,wherein said axle bracket of said base unit comprises an axle extendingalong an axis; said biasable member comprises an axle hole for theinsertion of said axle.
 9. The foldable stationery holder as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said axle bracket of said base unit further comprises aguide pin disposed at one side relative to said axle; said foldablemember further comprises an arched slot extended around said axis forthe insertion of said guide pin; said foldable member is movablerelative to said axle bracket between an extended position where one endof said arched slot is abutted against said guide pin and a collapsedposition where an opposite end of said arched slot is abutted againstsaid guide pin.